What Did We Accomplish in 2005?

UN Summit

We are dedicated to bringing about real change in the way people in Washington, DC think about the United Nations -- and our hard work has paid off. From September 14-16, more than 150 heads of state gathered to celebrate the United Nations' 60th Anniversary and establish a new, more effective world body. U.S. Ambassador to the UN John Bolton attempted to push positions contrary to the best interests of the U.S. However, we were successful in ensuring that President Bush's promise to help our friends and allies cut poverty in half was included in the language of the final Outcome Document of the Summit. The Summit also produced a number of other critical breakthroughs:

• A new Peacebuilding Commission to help countries establish peace and stability quickly and to prevent relapses of violence;
• A standing police capacity for UN peacekeeping operations;
• A commitment to the responsibility to protect, so that states can no longer hide behind the concept of sovereignty while conducting—or permitting—genocide, war crimes or crimes against humanity; and,
• A reaffirmation of democracy as a universal value and the establishment of a new, U.S.-initiated, Democracy Fund.

The Stop Bolton Campaign

From the moment President Bush nominated John Bolton as the U.S. Ambassador to the UN, Citizens for Global Solutions worked around the clock to organize a national citizens' campaign to oppose his confirmation. Thanks in large part to our efforts, the United States Senate ultimately refused to confirm him. Citizens for Global Solutions opposed Bolton's nomination on the principle that he was the wrong man for the job. Although President Bush chose to give Mr. Bolton a recess appointment, our movement for a constructive, pro-engagement foreign policy is both stronger and more effective.

Darfur

When the UN Commission of Inquiry for Sudan recommended to the Security Council that it refer the genocide in Darfur to the International Criminal Court, Citizens for Global Solutions coordinated the work of U.S. organizations with lobbying efforts of international organizations at the UN. Working in close partnership with both our own members and our NGO allies – including the Washington Coalition for the ICC and the Save Darfur Coalition – we pushed the Bush Administration not to veto the Security Council resolution referring Darfur to the ICC. Thanks in large part to the pressure generated by our coordinated campaign – including media messaging, sign-on letters, citizen action and lobbying — the administration ultimately abstained, allowing the ICC to exercise jurisdiction over investigation of atrocities in Darfur.

2005 Summer Games Competition

Over 550 people (primarily students) from all over the United States,and even Latin America, participated in the 2005 Summer Games competition.The level of difficulty in creating interactive Flash-based web gamesis arguably much greater than creating a Flash movie. So we weredefinitely wondering if we had bitten off more than we could chew withthis one. The top nine entrants, who were chosen as general "Winners"by a panel composed of Citizens for Global Solutions staff and BoardMembers, each received a $300 cash prize.

See what else we've done:

+ CLICK HERE FOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS HOME

+ CLICK HERE FOR 2007 ACCOMPLISHMENTS

+ CLICK HERE FOR 2006 ACCOMPLISHMENTS

+ CLICK HERE FOR MID-2004-2005 ACCOMPLISHMENTS

+ CLICK HERE FOR 2004 ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Updated February 10, 2006